A mortgage is your biggest financial commitment so it’s worth
aiming high. But the mortgage application process can be
confusing, time consuming and stressful.
Let us make the journey easier for you and give you a helping
hand in achieving your financial goals. We will guide you through
every step from the first appointment through to completion so
that you can focus on things that matter to you most.
Dreaming of a brand-new home? Our expertise in new build
mortgages and schemes can turn that dream into reality.
We'll guide you through various options like:
Whatever your circumstances, we’re committed to finding the right mortgage for YOU. We offer a comprehensive range of mortgages from across the market to find the best deals, and our expertise ensures you’ll receive sound advice every step of the way.
Ready to start your mortgage journey? Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation
Mortgage & insurance advise is provided by Zita Latham under The Mortgage Mum Ltd.
Embrace the Excitement of buying your First Home!
Purchasing your first property is a significant milestone, and we understand that the journey to homeownership can feel overwhelming. However, with the right support, achieving your dream is entirely within reach!
This is a unique and special time of your life, and we want you to savour every moment of it. Our mission is to ensure that securing your first mortgage is as smooth and stress-free as possible, allowing you to focus on the most thrilling part – finding “the one”, the place you’ll proudly call home.
We recognise that everyone’s mortgage journey is different, shaped by your individual circumstances and lifestyle. That’s why we’re here to tailor our services to meet your specific needs. Our goal is to make this process as effortless as possible for you, because it’s all about you!
So sit back, relax, and enjoy a cup of tea as you explore our top tips to help you feel more prepared foryour exciting home-buying adventure!
The larger the deposit you can put down, the better the mortgage deal you will be able to secure. It’s recommended to aim for a deposit of at least 5% of the property value, although some lenders may require more, depending on your circumstances and lender offerings.
Your credit score will play a big role in whether or not you can get approved for a mortgage. Check your credit score and take steps to improve it if necessary, such as paying off any outstanding debts. We work with Check My File You can try it free for 30 days, then £14.99 a month, you can cancel at any time. to provide you with a free 30-day trial of their credit report service. This is a great place to start.
Before you start looking for properties, get a Mortgage in Principle or an Agreement in Principle. This will give you an idea of how much you can borrow.
It’s important to be realistic about what you can afford. Make a budget and factor in all of the costs associated with buying and owning a property, such as mortgage repayments, insurance, utilities, and maintenance.
Look into the various government schemes available to first-time buyers, such as Lifetime ISA or Shared Ownership. They can provide important support when you need it most.
Don’t just settle for the first property you see. Shop around, comparing prices, locations, and property types to find the best deal for your budget and needs. We'll do the same when looking for the best mortgage for you!
Adapting to Your Evolving Property Needs
As your life evolves, so too can your housing requirements. What once felt like the perfect home may eventually become too small, too large, too urban, or even too remote for your current lifestyle.
Moving to a new property presents an excellent opportunity to reassess your mortgage situation. It’s essential to ensure that you have the best solutions tailored to your changing needs.
You are classed as a home mover if you have a mortgage on your current home and plan to move to a new property. You don’t necessarily need to change your mortgage in order to move home, but you have the option to do so.
Having access to a wide range of lenders allows us the best chance of finding you the most competitive mortgage deals. We can also advise you what the most suitable type of mortgages are for home movers, like yourself.
We are able to offer you experienced advice on whether porting your mortgage or remortgaging, with the same or a new lender, would be most beneficial for you. We can help with administrative aspects of the application and overall save you the time, money and stress of a failed application.
Before making any decisions, take a close look at your current financial standing. Calculate your existing mortgage balance, consider your income, and evaluate your credit score. We can help you to understand your financial position and determine how much you can afford for your new home and what mortgage options are available to you.
Reach out to us to explore different mortgage products and rates. We can help you understand whether to port your existing mortgage or apply for a new one. Getting a mortgage agreement in principle can give you a competitive edge when making an offer on a new property, as it shows sellers that you are a serious buyer.
Moving home involves various costs beyond just the purchase price. Be prepared for expenses such as estate agent fees, legal fees, survey costs, and potential stamp duty. Creating a budget that accounts for these expenses will help you avoid surprises during the process.
Take the time to research the neighborhoods you’re considering. Look into local amenities, schools, transport links, and future development plans that could affect property values. Understanding the area will help ensure that your new home meets not only your current needs but also those of your family in the years to come.
Organize the logistics of your move well in advance. This includes hiring a reputable removal company, notifying utility providers, and updating your address with relevant institutions. A well-structured plan will help minimize stress on moving day and allow you to focus on settling into your new home seamlessly.
Embrace the Excitement of buying your First Home!
Buying a brand new home means there is no costly maintenance and no need to revamp someone else’s tired décor. New homes are energy efficient too.
We are experienced in the New Build arena and we not only have the knowledge how the different new build schemes work, but also how every lender works and which ones have the best products at any one time.
Builders often set challenging deadlines, often wanting you to exchange on the property well before completion, we are here to make sure your mortgage finance is in order way before the deadline.
When buying a New Build it is important to remember that there are many options available to you to consider. Here are some of the current schemes that could support you with your new build purchase:
The shared ownership scheme makes it possible to buy a share of the property. As your mortgage only has to cover the portion you buy, both the deposit your monthly repayments are much more affordable. Bear in mind, however, that you will need to pay rent on the remaining share of the property.
The Deposit Unlock scheme allows you to buy a new build home with a 5% deposit. The home has to be from one of 32 house builders and mortgaged with a participating lender. There’s a maximum loan amount of £750,000 and it cannot be used on a Buy to Let property.
Certain new build sites are part of this scheme, where homes are sold with a significant discount. Key workers and local residents usually get priority.
This new scheme lets First Time Buyers move into a home and pay a fixed ‘rent’, which goes towards a deposit to buy the property. The scheme is currently available in London and Essex, but is set to roll out wider.
Own New is open to First Time Buyers and Next Time Buyers too. Own New works behind the scenes with home builders and lenders to enable reduced rates and smaller deposit mortgage on new builds. You get a normal mortgage and you will own 100% of your home. Own New mortgages are only available via Own New approved mortgage brokers and we are one of those few brokers who can offer these mortgages to our clients.
Unlocking New Opportunities
We understand that your financial needs and circumstances can change over time. Whether you’re looking to secure a better interest rate, access additional funds for home improvements, or consolidate debts, remortgaging can be a smart solution.
We bring our experience to guide you through the remortgaging process with clarity and confidence. We’ll help you explore your options, ensuring you find the right mortgage product that aligns with your goals. Let’s work together to unlock new opportunities for your financial future!
Remortgaging means moving your mortgage to a new lender while staying in the same property. You may want to remortgage if your existing mortgage deal coming to end, searching for a deal that better suits your needs, or planning to borrow more money against your property.
We can compare the mortgage deals offered by your current lender against those offered by the rest of the lenders we have access to and we will recommend the most suitable and most cost effective option. Deciding whether now is the right time for you to benefit from a remortgage can be difficult. We can offer you experienced advice based on your individual circumstances.
We can also ensure you approach those lenders who are most likely to accept your application. Another benefit of using us is accessibility. We have access to thousands of products and some of the deals we have access to are not available directly to customers. Trust us when we say that your best interests are always at the forefront of what we do.
Remortgaging can be beneficial in a wide range of circumstances, here are just a few to consider:
When you take out a fixed rate mortgage, the interest rate has an introductory fixed term, which is lower than the lender’s standard rate. When this term ends, you’re automatically swapped onto the lender’s SVR (standard variable rate). This will be more than you were paying before. It is worth seeking advise before the Fixed Rate is due to expire to see what options might be available to you.
Switching to a fixed-rate mortgage can provide peace of mind and stability, allowing you to know exactly how much your monthly payments will be for a set period. This can help with budgeting and financial planning.
Remortgaging can allow you to borrow additional funds against your property's increased value, providing capital for home improvements or other major expenses.
If you have high-interest debts, remortgaging can be a way to consolidate these into your mortgage, potentially reducing your overall monthly outgoings. However, this should be approached cautiously as it may increase the total interest paid over time.
Remortgaging can provide an opportunity to reduce your mortgage term, allowing you to become mortgage-free quicker. While this may increase monthly payments, it can significantly reduce the total interest paid over the life of the loan.
Remember, while these benefits can be substantial, it's important to consider any associated costs and your specific personal circumstances. We are here to provide professional advice so you can make the best, informed decisions.
Buy-to-let mortgages are designed to help you buy a property that you intend on renting out to others, instead of living in the property yourself. The amount you can borrow usually depends on the rental income you expect to earn from tenants, although lenders may consider other forms of income dependent on your situation.
Whether you are buying in your personal name, as a limited company, a house of multiple occupation or even as a portfolio landlord talk to us to get the right advice for your buy to let mortgage. We always advise you seek independent tax advice as part of the process before purchasing a property as this will play a role in the route you decide to take.
Most Buy to Let mortgages are arranged as interest only, rather than repayment. The interest rates are higher than they are for other types of mortgage and you’ll need a minimum deposit of 25%. It’s important to note that, much like you can’t rent out a residentially mortgaged property, you cannot live in a Buy to Let mortgaged property. Also, note all Buy to Let mortgages will be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Examples for BTL Mortgages that are covered by The Financial Conduct Authority include purchasing the property with the sole intention to let it to close family members, accidental landlords and Consumer Buy to Lets.
With a Buy to Let mortgage, your lender will calculate the loan predominantly on the potential rental yield (income) from your chosen property.
Whilst stress tests are usually carried out on your ability to afford the repayments, your personal income will not determine the amount you can borrow on a Buy to Let property. Lenders will want the rental yield from your chosen property to equal at least 125% of the monthly repayments. It’s therefore a good idea to look at local average rents in the area you are looking to buy and on similar property types to your Buy to Let property.
Buy to Let properties have the potential to make a stable monthly income, as well as taking care of the mortgage payments. It’s always wise, however, to plan for periods where there is no rental income from the property.
